Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order in Nationwide Ruling
CONCORD, New Hampshire, July 10 – A federal judge has halted Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order, blocking its enforcement across the United States. The decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that limited judges’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions.
Class Action Ruling Enables Broad Injunction
After immigrant rights groups asked for class action status for their lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante made the decision. The case is about protecting babies who could lose their citizenship because of the order. The judge could use the injunction across the country because the class status was granted, even though the Supreme Court had recently put limits on it.
Judge Laplante highlighted the severe consequences for affected children. “That’s irreparable harm, citizenship alone,” he stated. “It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”
Although the judge temporarily paused the ruling to give the Trump administration time to appeal, he confirmed that a written order would follow later in the day.
ACLU Reacts Swiftly to Supreme Court Decision
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other rights groups filed their lawsuit within hours of the Supreme Court’s June 27 ruling, which scaled back three existing injunctions. However, the plaintiffs argued that class action cases can still justify broad relief. Judge Laplante appeared to agree.
Details of Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order, issued in January, directs federal agencies to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Critics claim this policy violates the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.”
The Department of Justice argued in court that the order is constitutional and asked the judge to deny class certification. Legal analysts, however, say the directive directly challenges long-standing interpretations of U.S. citizenship laws.
Impacts and Legal Challenges Ahead
If enforced, the order could strip over 150,000 newborns of citizenship each year, according to immigrant advocacy groups and officials in Democratic-led states. The judge’s decision deals a major blow to Trump’s immigration agenda and sets the stage for further legal battles in higher courts.
